35's vs 33's

surfgeek33 · 07-22-2009, 10:39 AM

Hey Folks!

I'm currently running 315-70-R17's on our rig. If I decided to go for either 265's or something equivalent to 33's what are the pro's and cons? Thanks

Ray

Skywagon · 07-22-2009, 10:55 AM

We have 315/70/17s on our truck and I just measured them to see how tall they really were.
The spare (with about 10,000 miles) measures right at 33 7/8 in. The tires on the ground with 50 psi, measure 32 3/4 tall X 33 7/8 wide. B.F.G. advertised as 35" tires. The treads all appear almost as new.
Bill

**BroncoHauler** · 07-22-2009, 11:06 AM

FWIW, Tirerack.com lists the BFG All Terrain A/T KO diameters as follows:

315/70R17 34.5"
285/70R17 32.7"
265/70R17 31.8"

From Tirerack's website
Overall Diameter

A tire's overall diameter is the outer diameter of the tire measured in the center of the tread. This measurement is made without any load placed upon the tire and after the tire has been properly mounted on its industry assigned measuring rim and has been inflated and reset to its test pressure after 24 hours

Herb

Skywagon · 07-22-2009, 01:55 PM

I understand that that's what the websites say. I measured what they actually WERE using two carpenter's squares to eliminate parallax error. It's hard to believe, but sometimes what it says in the advertising isn't what it actually is. Not unlike the politicians!

Bill

FISHBREATH · 07-22-2009, 03:06 PM

the smaller tire should cost less, in general better for towing, less body roll/tire sway,shorter step to get in the van, higher rpm going down the road, tire weighs less not sure if that would be better for fuel mileage,......Larger tires, look cool, better ground clearance, sling more mud on the side of the van, better traction, ah did I say they look cool, it's been my experciance that the larger tires seem to not wear as well. and yes they look cool.

DAVEF

Skywagon · 07-22-2009, 06:51 PM

The larger tires also have the added advantage of having the ability to tear great chunks out of the Bushwacker flares, and are harder to find desirable sizes in 17". As you said they cost more too. In the end, I have an '08, and 16's won't work. That being said, if you get the 17's, then you have the option of spending even MORE money on brake upgrades!
Bill
I forgot to mention that the 17's rub on the anti-sway bar, which, if you like little shiny spots on the corners of the bar, might be an added bonus.

LeadDoggy · 07-23-2009, 07:09 AM

33s Pro (IMO)
more seat of pants feel of power
less strain on motor
less weight to turn with drivetrain
lower vehicle height for when you get older so in turn, easier to get into vehicle
better ride
fuel mileage
better for towing

35s CON (IMO)
more money
more strain on drivetrain
harder to get into vehicle
less power to pavement
cost more (not just orginal price)

surfgeek33 · 07-23-2009, 10:03 AM

Thanks for all your thoughts!

LeadDoggy,

Thats what I was lookin' for. I'm trying to decide on our next set to either go smaller than what we have or keep the same size (315's). I'm just weighing the pros and cons. What size tires do you have on your rig?

Ray

LeadDoggy · 07-23-2009, 12:51 PM

Ray,

LeadDoggy is a little one sided on this as for I have 285/70X17 Coopers on my rig w/ 5.4L gas motor and 4:10 gearing. Orginal gears were 3:73 and with the new gears and tires, my speedo is only off a 1MPH @ 70MPH.

Short story:
After going thru a full set of 35" BFG AT on my '77 Chevy K10 4X4 and then switching to 33" Bridgestones, what a major difference in ride and performance. The BFGs always took tons of lead for balancing where as the BridgeStones took very little.
All the BFG's that I had on said truck were all adjusted for seperations. No more BFGs for LeadDoggy.....

LeadDoggy out

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfgeek33

Thanks for all your thoughts!

LeadDoggy,

Thats what I was lookin' for. I'm trying to decide on our next set to either go smaller than what we have or keep the same size (315's). I'm just weighing the pros and cons. What size tires do you have on your rig?

Ray

winvest · 07-23-2009, 03:09 PM

I don't know if it was the 35's that caused it, but I broke the latch pin off of my Aluminess bumper mounted spare tire carrier soon after switching from 33's. The extra weight of the 35's may have been a factor, as I was going up a rough forest road ( potholes and washboards) when the latchpin sheared off of my bumper and the spare swung free.